Hi Barry!
That 2-18-18 date on short globes and little short globes is bogus and not a patent. It appears to have been added as an update or to show modernization of the loc-nob which consisted of smaller nobs than on the first ones. It probably coincides with the issue of the Fitzall Loc-Nob in 1918. These globes are common and easily found.
Your 1923 LW is a good find. Notice the prime differences with the 1914 LW shown here. The 1914 has no vertical tube reinforcement, which started in 1915. Dietz lanterns made 1911-1919 have the Inside Flag (ISF) lift plate, whereas the 1920-1946 versions have the Full Corner with Strut(FCS)lift plate. Any LW you see with the ISF is very rare, although all Dietz lanterns made 1916-1920 are rare. They seem to have spent most of this war and flu epedemic period making Naval Deck and Voting Booth lanterns. Regards,

Bobby